News release

Government Approves Writeoffs for 2021-22

Finance and Treasury Board

The Province is writing off $15.8 million in debts considered uncollectable as of March 31, 2022.

Writeoffs are a normal cost of doing business for any organization, public or private.

“Writeoffs are a standard accounting practice and while these transactions originated in previous fiscal years, they will have no impact on departmental budgets or Nova Scotia’s bottom line for the current fiscal year,” said Allan MacMaster, Minister of Finance and Treasury Board.

None of the 2021-22 writeoffs are related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Most of them are uncollectable ambulance fees and Pharmacare premiums at Health and Wellness, various unpaid fines at Justice, outstanding loan balances at Agriculture, and unpaid student loans at Advanced Education.

Quick Facts:

  • although a debt is written off, efforts to collect the funds continue
  • this accounting process is in line with Nova Scotia’s Finance Act

Additional Resources:

A summary of writeoffs by department is available at:
https://beta.novascotia.ca/documents/summary-departmental-write-offs-2021-2022

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